John 16:31 Jesus answered them, Do you now believe? I. A KIND INQUIRY (ver. 31). A question. 1. Authoritative. Put by Him who alone has a right to do so. 2. Necessary. The existence of faith (John 9:35; Mark 4:40) the one thing needful (Luke 18:8; Hebrews 11:6). 3. Urgent. Then the time was short — Christ was on the eve of departure. Now the time is short (1 Corinthians 7:29) — The Lord is at hand (Philippians 4:5; James 5:8). 4. Personal. The question was addressed to the disciples individually. So must each soul consider and reply for himself. II. A GENTLE ADMONITION (ver. 32). A warning. 1. Startling. Otherwise it would have been worthless. 2. Painful; intimating the fact of their impending desertion: hence suggesting the propriety of examining whether their faith was capable of enduring the coming strain. 3. Softened. Their dispersion would leave Him alone in the hands of His enemies; yet as if to mitigate the blow of this allusion to their apostasy He adds that the Father would be with Him. III. A CHEERING PREDICTION (ver. 33). 1. The blessing. Christ desired that they might have peace. It was His dying legacy (John 14:27) and His purpose in all His conversation and labours. 2. The sphere. It could only be secured by vital union with Himself (Romans 8:6; Romans 14:17; Ephesians 2:14; Philippians 4:7). IV. A COMFORTING CONSOLATION. Christ had overcome the world — 1. For Himself. Hence they need not doubt that He was the Father's Son and the Saviour of men, or question His ability to support and succour them. 2. For them. If they continued one with Him, in and through Him they would be victorious over all tribulation (Romans 8:37; Revelation 7:14).Lessons: 1. The gentleness of Christ. 2. The weakness of men. 3. The blessedness of faith. (T. Whitelaw, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe? |
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